Rinspeed Unveils XchangE – An Electric Autonomous Concept

Rinspeed, a Swiss creative think tank for the automotive industry, has unveiled its latest concept in a long line of concepts that never make it to production.

That Looks Like a Good Spot to Put the Steering Wheel For Now

Here we see XchangE, the electric autonomous concept from Rinspeed.

Rinspeed’s Frank M. Rinderknecht says this of XchangE:

“…traveling in a driverless car will no longer require me to stare at the road, but will let me spend my time in a more meaningful way.”

XchangE is Rinspeed’s vision of how an autonomous vehicle should be set up.

Without the task of driving required, the interior can be re-organized in a way that optimizes the use of space and allows for occupants to relax, rather than to focus on the road ahead.

XchangE will hit the stage at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show for its worldwide debut, but don’t expect to ever see it enter production. Rinspeed has a habit of presenting unique products, but never moving beyond the concept stage.

What’s most unique about the XchangE is that the steering wheel can be moved across the dashboard, including to the position shown in the image, which gets the wheel out of the way for when it’s not needed.

Aside from that unique feature and the swiveling front seats, the XchangE basically looks like most any other vehicle you’d see on the road today.

Interesting concept, but couldn’t they have found a better way to get the steering wheel away? Maybe have it retract into the center of the dash? There doesn’t need to be a physical connection between the steering wheel and steering gear anymore. (See: Lexus.)